Josephine
"Hear, hear." Viktor Gremaldi raised his horn mug as he stood smugly from his throne. It was the night of his birthday and at the same time, the exclusive soft opening of Wonderland Spain. He had gone all out, holding his Viking inspired soiree at the biggest Wonderland hall to date.
I must admit that Viktor's seemingly unending vanity had somehow became tolerable. Probably because I had already heard him talk of things, plans and I had an undying passion for information and new knowledge, at hindi ko maikakailang matalino siya at makabuluhan ang mga hangarin niya.
"It pleases me to see all of you here. And they said that I was growing more unhinged by the second, especially when I made such...alliances." Humalakhak na siya, and I thought it sounded like a preview of his notorious wrath.
He turned his attention towards our Grand Patron, na ngayon ay tumayo na rin at itinaas ang horn mug niya.
"Dustan, Javier, Felix, Trevor, Sigurd, The Sisters, The Blacks...and as I live and breather, Señorita Moreau, always a pleasure. My Patron brothers and sisters...welcome, let's feast and drink to a new dawn. Your night's Wonderland experience are all on me. Unlimited favors for everyone! Skol!"
"Skol!" We all followed, then drank the mead.
Siguro sa lahat ng nadaluhan kong pagtitipon ng mga Patron ay ito na yata ang pinaka komportable ako. Viktor wanted to pay homage to his Viking roots so we all got dressed up. Though Dustan came as a Serdar and Carmen a Hatun ay hindi naman nakakapagtaka. He was just as vain as Viktor at wala sa kanilang nagpapatalo kahit sa mga ganitong bagay.
Felix and ate Sidd dressed up as a Viking Raider and Princess, habang ako naman ay nakasuot ng pang Shield Maiden, complete with a sword and shield na may kabigatan kaya pinaupo ko na lang sa tabi ko.
I had the privilege of resting my contact lens and opted for an eye patch, which really felt nice. I don't have to get conscious for once dahil wala akong aalalahaning make up kung may nabura ba or natanggal ang skin graft pasties sa mukha ko. Hindi lang ako gaanong at ease dahil masyadong exposed ang dibdib ko. My chests were pushed up high and though faint, my scars can be seen through the plunging neckline. Wala na akong oras para ipa adjust ito dahil kanina lang din ibinigay ni Ate Sidd ang damit.
Carmen nudged my side kaya nilingon ko siya.
"Okay ka lang?"
Tumango ako.
"Yes. Surprisingly I feel like this isn't an extension of work. Maybe it was the costumes. I'm enjoying, if that's what you're asking."
"Oh nice. Akala ko ay magmukmukmok ka nanaman."
Carmen and I fell into a conversation at natigilan lang kami ng mapansing palapit si Viktor sa amin. Dustan stood up and greeted him.
"Thank you." Nakita kong may hinahanap si Viktor pero natigil lang siya ng tumayo na si Felix at Ate Sidd.
"Viktor. What can I say...happy birthday." Ate Sidd sounded polite kaya napa halakhak si Felix. Probably to stop his wife from saying more and having Viktor's Patrons hear her.
Si Viktor naman...I had never seen him disarmed by a simple greeting. I tuned out their awkward conversation and looked around the massive hall. It must have cost a fortune to set it up, or maybe this hall was intended to be a massive fantasy room. I was not that familiar with Wonderland things and just knew of the ones that I picked up on while listening.
Natigilan ako sa pagmamasid ng nakaramdam na parang may nakatitig sa akin.
"Jo?" It was Carmen kaya naibalik ko ang atensiyon sa kanila.
BINABASA MO ANG
Tactless Temerity
General FictionR-21 MATURE CONTENT Wonderland Series #4 .... I was a simple man. I was never someone who played games or prepared elaborate things to lure women to my bed. I never had to ask, though. I was brought up that way, and grew up with more violence a boy...
